One of the largest and deepest gold mines in the world, extending 2,998 meters below the surface, faced severe material carryback issues on 22 underground conveyor belts of 1200mm wide belts running at speed of 2 to 3.5 mtr/sec. The problem was worsened by the use of competitor belt cleaners, which proved ineffective due to the presence of clip joints on the belts. As a result, the mine experienced reduced productivity, increased equipment damage, maintenance costs, significant downtime and potential safety hazards.

Following a thorough conveyor belt audit conducted by our Partner Manager, a comprehensive solution was recommended to address carryback and material spillage challenges. The proposed setup included the installation of 12 CleanScrape® Primary Cleaners—safe for use on conveyor belts with clip joints — alongside 22 Martin® SC16 as Dual Secondary Cleaners for enhanced cleaning efficiency. To further protect the system, Martin® V-Plough and Bias Plough units were installed at the tail pulleys to prevent material buildup and potential belt damage. Additionally, proper belt support was ensured with 14 Martin® High Speed Impact Cradles (HSIC), and effective sealing was achieved using Martin® ApronSeal™ skirting.

The implementation of this comprehensive solution brought a remarkable transformation to the mine’s conveyor belt operations. Consequently, the mine experienced increased operational efficiency, a substantial reduction in maintenance interventions, improved safety conditions, and a notable drop in unplanned downtime—leading to greater productivity and cost savings.